Objective To obtain the physical phenotypic characteristics of Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao, and enrich the physical anthropology research data of Tajik populations. MethodsUsing anthropometric method, 37 anthropometric indices, 17 physical calculated indices and subtypes of 317 Tajik adults (137 males and 180 females) in Xinjiang Aketao were investigated and analyzed. ResultsThe anthropometric study of Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao revealed significant gender differences in 31 body anthropometric indices (including stature and sitting height), with 12 physical calculated indices including the tibio-radial index and forearm length-girth index also demonstrating gender-related variations. Nine anthropometric indices (including stature and sitting height) and five physical calculated indices (including the forearm length-girth index and stature-chest circumference index) showed age-related differences in both males and females. The Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao were characterized by above-average stature, wide shoulders, wide pelvis, and middle trunk type. ConclusionThere are certain differences in physical phenotypic characteristics of the Tajik adults of Xinjiang Aketao, compared to the Tajik adults of Xinjiang Taxkorgan, while the differences are relatively small compared to the Altaic-speaking populations (Kirgiz, Kazak).

Cranio-maxillofacial surgery, as a field of plastic surgery that integrates functional restoration and aesthetic remodeling, is undergoing a transformation from experience-based to digital and intelligent. With the deep integration of augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotic technology, modern cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery has broken through the limitations of traditional techniques and entered the area of precise digital medicine. In this article, we systematically expounds the application prospects of intelligent navigation and surgical robots in the field of cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery, from preoperative three-dimensional planning, intraoperative Real-time navigation to postoperative intelligent effect evaluation, revealing how core technologies such as multimodal data fusion, virtual-real registration, and force feedback control work together to enhance the precision and safety of surgery. By analyzing the latest research progress at home and abroad and comparing the advantages and challenges of different technical routes, it looks forward to future development directions such as remote surgery and autonomous decision-making. This review aims to provide a panoramic view of technological development for clinical practice and promote the standardized application and innovative breakthroughs of intelligent surgical systems in the field of cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery.

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is an emerging minimally invasive surgical technique that utilizes robotic systems to perform kidney transplantation. Compared with the conventional open kidney transplantation(OKT), RAKT is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications and faster postoperative recovery, while maintaining comparable outcomes with open surgery in graft function and graft survival. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of RAKT remains limited due to high equipment costs, a steep learning curve, and the lack of high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials. With the accumulation of clinical experience and continued technological innovation, RAKT is expected to be further optimized and gradually extended to broader clinical settings. It holds promise as a valuable advancement in the field of kidney transplantation, offering a balance between surgical precision and minimally invasive benefits.

Objective To analyze the basic conditions and pathological characteristics of the samples in the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University, which were pathologically diagnosed as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and to provide reference for the research of related diseases.  Methods The basic data of gender, age, apolipoprotein E genotype, pathological classification of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Alzheimer’s disease-related pathological change score, comorbidities and other pathological information were analyzed.    Results Up to October 2024, twenty samples were confirmed by pathological diagnosis, with a male to female ratio of 3∶1 and an average age of (80.90 ± 8.08) years. Involve three kinds of apolipoprotein E subtype, 5 kinds of genotypes (ε2/ε3、ε2/ε4、ε3/ε3、ε3/ε4、ε4/ε4); There were 2 pathologic types, including 6 cases of type 1 and 14 cases of type 2. The pathological grade included 3 grades. The severity grade and subtype classification of cerebral amyloid vascular disease were correlated with the degree of pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy samples could coexist with other degenerative diseases with high comorbidity.    Conclusion The incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is higher in the aged samples collected based on Brain Bank, which coexists with conditions such as  Alzheimer’s disease and microbleeds, etc. It provides more detailed pathological diagnosis basis for further scientific research sharing of samples. 

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy is currently recognized as one of the main methods for prostate cancer diagnosis, however, it has shortcomings such as missing clinically significant prostate cancer and overdetecting clinically insignificant prostate cancer. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is an important imaging method for diagnosing prostate diseases, which can detect and localize prostate cancer lesions, thus being applicable for guiding targeted biopsy. At present, there are mainly three commonly used techniques for mpMRI-guided targeted biopsy, cognitive fusion, MRI-TRUS image fusion, and MRI-directly guided biopsy. This article elaborates on the application value of MRI and TRUS fusion navigation in guiding prostate targeted biopsy from the aspects of the value of MRI in prostate cancer diagnosis, the application of MRI-TRUS fusion navigation technology in prostate biopsy, and the current problems of fusion navigation and future prospects.

ObjectiveTo conduct a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）characteristics of anterior mediastinal thymic epithelial tumors and lymphomas, and to assess their significance in the differential diagnosis between the two. MethodsFifty patients who were initially diagnosed with anterior mediastinal thymoma or lymphoma and were admitted to Xiamen Hospital affiliated with Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2018 to April 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Upon admission, all patients underwent MRI examinations. The pathological findings, diagnostic efficacy of MRI examinations, qualitative outcomes of MRI examinations, and the incidence of collagen fiber pattern (CFP) in thymoma and lymphoma were evaluated and analyzed in this group of 50 patients. ResultsPathological examinations of the 50 patients in this group revealed 38 cases of thymoma and 12 cases of lymphoma. The concordance rate between the diagnosis of anterior mediastinal thymoma and lymphoma was 86.00%. The specificity in thymoma diagnosis was 58.33%, and the sensitivity was 94.73%. There were significant differences in the proportions of septa, scars, and enlarged lymph nodes between thymoma and lymphoma. The proportions of septa and scars in thymoma were higher than those in lymphoma, while the proportion of enlarged lymph nodes was lower than that in lymphoma, with statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the comparison of other characteristics such as calcification, cystic necrosis, organ invasion, and pleural effusion (P>0.05). The incidence of CFP in thymoma patients with septa, patchy, and mixed types was higher than that in lymphoma, while the incidence of CFP in patients without septa was lower than that in lymphoma, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionThere are significant differences in the incidences of septa, scars, enlarged lymph nodes, and CFP between anterior mediastinal thymoma and lymphoma on MRI, which can offer robust evidence for disease differentiation. MRI exhibits high diagnostic accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity in the differential diagnosis of these two types of lesions.

Objective  To analyze the clinical efficacy of orthopedic robot-guided percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation on patients with pelvic fractures retrospectively. MethodsTotally 182 patients with pelvic fractures who were treated in Department of Traumatic Orthopedics of Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine from January 2023 to December 2024, were divided into observation group (n=91) and control group (n=91) by random number table method. Both groups were treated with percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation, and the observation group was combined with orthopedic robot guidance. The pelvic reduction status, serological indicators ［serum peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), D-dimer (D-D)］, surgery-related indicators, pain score, pelvic function and incidence rates of long-term complications were compared between the two groups of patients. ResultsAfter 6 months of surgery, the total excellent and good rate of pelvic reduction of patients in observation group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Before discharge, the levels of PGC-1α and ALP in the two groups increased, and the levels in observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and D-D level decreased, and the level in observation group was lower (P<0.05). The surgical screw placement time, screw placement time, surgical time, incision length, hospitalization time and fracture healing time in observation group were shorter compared to the control group (P<0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and intraoperative blood loss volume were less (P<0.05), and the accuracy rate of screw placement was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). On 12 hours, 3 days and 7 days after surgery, the visual analogue scale(VAS) scores in the two groups of patients were reduced compared with that before surgery, and the score was lower in the observation group (P<0.05). The recovery of pelvic function in observation group after 6 months of surgery was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). The observation group had lower incidence rates of long-term complications than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Orthopedic robot-guided percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation can promote the pelvic reduction in patients with pelvic fractures, while also promoting the fracture healing and pelvic function recovery, improving the accuracy rate of screw placement, regulating the bone metabolism, improving the body’s hypercoagulable state, reducing pain, and minimizing the occurrence of long-term complications.

Research on fetal brain tissue holds immense significance for neuroscience and disease mechanisms, as its developmental processes form the cornerstone for understanding brain development and its abnormalities. The formulation of a standardized operational protocol for China's fetal brain tissue bank is urgently needed, as it can fill the gaps in the domestic relevant standardized system, support basic research and clinical exploration, and assist in addressing challenges related to ethics and sample quality. The establishment of this protocol aims to ensure operational consistency, minimize experimental deviations, provide reliable samples for disease research, and enhance international competitiveness. By integrating the practical experience of multiple domestic brain banks, this standardized operational protocol summarizes the objectives of fetal brain tissue bank collection, proposes the legal basis and ethical considerations for fetal collection, outlines the content of clinical data collection and the procedures for fetal brain tissue sampling, briefly describes pathological diagnosis norms, and details the preservation and management of information related to fetal brain tissue. Additionally, it innovatively introduces postmortem fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (ex vivo MRI) technology. The protocol aims to establish unified and standardized criteria, strengthen the collection, processing, and sharing of samples, and promote the advancement of brain science research. 

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy, efficiency, and clinical application potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the imaging assessment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), providing objective evidence for optimizing early fracture diagnosis and grading. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on chest CT imaging data from 100 OVF patients and 300 normal controls. An AI-assisted diagnostic system and radiologists independently evaluated the thoracic 1(T1) to lumbar 1(L1) vertebrae in a double-blind manner. The consensus of three senior radiologists served as the gold standard. Agreement analysis and efficiency comparison were performed between the two methods. ResultsThe AI system demonstrated high agreement with radiologists in vertebral fracture detection (κ=0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.90). The AI system achieved a sensitivity of 94.2%, significantly higher than that of the radiologist group (86.7%, P<0.05). The AI system completed single-case whole-spine CT analysis in (16.6± 3.2) seconds, significantly faster than the radiologist group (89.7±21.4) seconds (P<0.001). When AI pre-screening was combined with targeted radiologist review, the average interpretation time was reduced by 81.5%. ConclusionThe conventional Genant semi-quantitative visual assessment method suffers from poor reproducibility. Integrating AI software (e.g., uAI Spine Analyzer) into vertebral fracture evaluation can enhance radiologists’ efficiency and significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in detecting early mild fractures. This AI-assisted approach serves as an effective clinical diagnostic tool, facilitating close monitoring of bone health and contributing to the strategic goal of “healthy aging.”

Objective To explore how to organically integrate the human anatomy curriculum with medical imaging, thereby enhancing medical students’ spatial understanding and 3D reconstruction skills, and strengthening their anatomical foundation and clinical competence. This approach aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice while cultivating clinical thinking abilities.    Methods In this study, the medical imaging knowledge was introduced into the anatomy curriculum in Peking University, enabling students to better understand the human body structure and its relationship to the clinical practice with aid of the ultrasound and MRI method. After the course concluded, we evaluated the examination result  and learning satisfaction data from the anatomy course.    Results The result  showed that students provided positive feedback, showing increased interest in learning, enhanced initiative, significant improvement in their anatomy grades (P<0.01), and a notable enhancement in their ability to apply basic knowledge to solve clinical problems (P<0.05).    Conclusion The integrated teaching approach of medical imaging and human anatomy courses provides innovative ideas and practical method  for medical students to learn the basic medical course and enhance their clinical skills in the future.

Objective To investigate the potential mechanisms by which the natural herbal monomer scutellarin alleviates ischemic stroke (IS) using network pharmacology and in vivo experimental validation.    Methods Potential targets of scutellarin were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction and PharmMapper, and standardized via UniProt. IS-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the GSE22255 dataset in the GEO database, with screening criteria of | log10 FC | ≥1 and P<0.05. Venny 2.1.0 analysis was used to identify overlapping targets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and visualized in cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina 1.5.6 to assess the binding affinity between scutellarin and hub targets. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model was established and divided into sham, MCAO, and MCAO + scutellarin groups. Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of hub genes and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/Akt pathway components in the ischemic cortex.   Results A total of 325 scutellarin targets and 2168 IS-related DEGs were identified, with 29 overlapping targets. GO analysis yielded 51 biological processes, 5 cellular components, and 8 molecular functions. KEGG enrichment highlighted PI3K/Akt and metabolic pathways. PPI analysis identified Caspase-3, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARA), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) as key hub proteins. Molecular docking showed strong binding affinities between scutellarin and these proteins. Real-time PCR result  confirmed that scutellarin modulated the expression of hub genes and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway. Conclusion In the MCAO mouse model, scutellarin exerts neuroprotective effects by modulating targets such as CASP3, EGFR, PTGS2, PPARA, and IL-2, and activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, exhibiting multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics.  

 Objective  To analyze the donated brain samples received by the Xiangya Brain Bank of Central South University, and further establish a systematic mechanism for tissue acquisition, sample preservation, pathological diagnosis, and global sharing, in order to promote the construction of the Chinese brain bank, and provide key support for neuroscience and neurological disease research.  Methods  Based on the body donation program in Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University, we collected and analyzed 373 postmortem human brains from 2016 to 2025, with neuropathological assessments performed according to international and domestic diagnostic protocols.  Results  Donors spanned a broad age range, from infancy to advanced old age. The annual number of brain donations exhibited an overall upward trend, accompanied by a progressive reduction in postmortem delay and generally well-preserved RNA quality. Systematic neuropathological evaluation revealed that the cohort was predominantly composed of cases with Alzheimer’s disease neuropathological change (ADNC) and primary age-related tauopathy (PART), characterized by typical intermediate-stage pathological features and a distinct age-dependent distribution, respectively.   Conclusion  Xiangya Brain Bank is a key part of China’s human brain resource network and has supported neuroanatomical, neuropathological and translational research across the nation. With continuous efforts in standardized histological processing, resource sharing, and international collaboration, human brain banking will become a firmer cornerstone for basic, translational and clinical neuroscience in China.

Objective  To construct the experimental teaching system of ‘three combinations + four integrations’ and explore its practical effects in the experimental teaching of regional anatomy. Methods  The teaching model of ‘three combinations + four integrations’ was established. A total of 600 undergraduate studentsmajoring in clinical medicine from Chengdu Medical College (grades 2021-2022) were selected as the research subjects. The traditional experimental teaching method and the experimental teaching method of ‘three combinations + four integrations’ were applied respectively. The teaching effectiveness was evaluated through regular quizzes, end-of-course assessments, experimental evaluations, PBL-based assessments, and students’ subjective feedback on the course. Results  The scores of regular quizzes, final end-of-course examinations, digital specimen examinations and the subjective recognition of students in the experimental groups of the two grades were all better than those of students in the control groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion  The ‘three-combinations + four-integrations’ experimental teaching system has effectively enhanced students’ academic performance, autonomous learning ability, practical skills, clinical thinking, innovation ability, and comprehensive knowledge application. It is beneficial for improving the overall teaching effectiveness.

Objective  To explore the morphological feature of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to nucleus reuniens (Re) projection pathway in mice with neuropathic pain. Methods  Twelve C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups according to the method employed. Retrograde tracer fluoro-gold (FG) was injected into the Re of mice subjected to spared nerve injury (SNI, n=3) or sham (n=3) operation. The distribution and pain responsivity of retrogradely-labeled neurons in the mPFC were observed with c-Fos immunofluorescent staining. Red retrobeads (Beads) were injected into the Re of normal mice (n=3), and the neurochemical feature of the mPFC-Re projection neurons was examined with calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) immunofluorescent staining. The c-Fos promoter-dependent anterograde virus was injected into the mPFC of SNI mice (n=3). The distribution of pain responsive mPFC-Re projection terminals and the target cell type were observed by calretinin (CR) immunofluorescent staining. Results  The FG or Beads retrogradely-labeled neurons were mainly distributed in the deep layers (Ⅴ and Ⅵ) of cingulate cortex area 1 (Cg1), prelimbic (PrL), and infralimbic (IL) cortices of the mPFC. About 96.81% of labeled neurons showed CaMKⅡ immunoreactivities. SNI caused a significant decrease in the c-Fos expression and the number of FG/c-Fos double-labeled neurons, mostly strikingly in the PrL. The c-Fos-driven anterograde virus labeled terminals were mainly distributed in the ventrolateral region of the Re and formed close contacts with CR-positive neurons. Conclusion  The projection neurons in the mPFC-Re pathway are dominantly excitatory neurons, and target on CR-positive neurons. Neuropathic pain results in the reduced activity of the mPFC-Re projection pathway.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of abscisic acid (ABA) in 1-methyl-4-phenyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) mouse models.   Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups, control group (Ctrl), MPTP group, and MPTP+ABA group, 12 mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with MPTP 25 mg/kg daily for 8 consecutive days to establish a subacute PD model. The MPTP+ABA group received intraperitoneal injections of ABA 25 mg/kg daily for 11 consecutive days, starting 3 days prior to MPTP administration. Behavioral tests were performed 24 hours after the last administration. On day 3, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum (STR) was analyzed by Western blotting, and mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Real-time PCR. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expression of TH, GFAP, and ionized calciumbinding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1).    Results Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited impaired motor function, a reduced number of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, down-regulated TH protein expression in both the SNc and striatum, up-regulated GFAP protein expression, increased numbers of GFAP-and Iba1-positive cells, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast, the MPTP+ABA group showed improved motor function, increased TH-positive neurons in the SNc, up-regulated TH protein expression, down-regulated GFAP protein expression, reduced numbers of GFAP-and Iba1-positive cells, and decreased pro-inflammatory factor levels compared to the MPTP group.   Conclusion  ABA ameliorates motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD model mice, reduces degeneration and death of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, suppresses the proliferation and activation of astrocytes and microglia in the SNc and striatum, and alleviates neuroinflammation. These results suggest that ABA exerts neuroprotective effects in MPTP-induced PD model mice. 

Objective  To systematically compare the distribution characteristics of handedness in different populations worldwide through meta-analysis and Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) questionnaire, and to clarify the handedness distribution characteristics of northwestern Chinese populations (Ningxia and Gansu populations as samples) as well as their differences from other populations. Methods  Literatures were retrieved and screened from CNKI and PubMed for meta-analysis. Taking Ningxia and Gansu populations as the research objects, EHI questionnaire was used to collect handedness data. EpiData double entry was applied for data management, and χ² test and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the distribution characteristics and influencing factors. Results  Meta-analyses had demonstrated that the prevalence of non-right-handedness was significantly lower in Asian populations compared to Western populations, and there were also significant geographical differences in handedness distribution. Univariate analyses of the Ningxia and Gansu cohorts revealed that the rate of left-handedness was significantly higher in males than in females, higher in individuals with middle school or vocational school education than in those with primary school or college education, and higher in individuals born in spring or summer (all P<0.05). Further multivariate logistic regression analysis had confirmed that being male and having middle school or vocational school education were independent risk factors for left-handedness. After pooling the present data,it was found that the overall rate of non-right-handedness in China was 8.8%, which was only higher than that in Japan and Sweden (P<0.001), but lower than that in 15 countries or regions such as Bulgaria (all P<0.05). The characteristics of handedness distribution in male and female groups were consistent with those of the general population. Conclusion  Handedness distribution shows certain regional and gender differences.The Ningxia and Gansu cohorts in China exhibit a distinctive handedness distribution pattern, and the left-handedness ratio in males is higher than that in females

Objective  To explore the ameliorative effect of chelated zinc on neuronal pyroptosis during the acute phase of cerebral ischemia in mice. Methods  Thirty adult male Kunming mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to the randomized controlled principle, sham operation group (sham), middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion 3 days group (MCAO), and zinc chelation Tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were anesthetized by inhalation, and MCAO model was established by the suture-occlusion method. Mice in each group were subjected to 1 hour of ischemia followed by 3 days of reperfusion. Mice in the TPEN group were intraperitoneally injected with the zinc ion chelator TPEN at a dose of 10 mg/kg immediately after reperfusion, while mice in the sham group only underwent blunt separation of blood vessels. Neurological function scoring, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and laser speckle imaging were used to evaluate the protective effect of zinc chelation on cerebral injury in mice. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, zinc probe, and Western blotting were performed to observe the improvement effect of zinc chelation on neuronal pyroptosis after cerebral injury in mice. Transcriptome sequencing combined with Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, immunofluorescence co-staining, and Western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, cleaved-Caspase-1, and gasdermin (GSDM) family proteins GSDMD-N proteins after zinc chelation intervention. Results  Zinc chelation improved the neurological function scores of mice (P<0.05), reduced the cerebral infarct volume (P<0.01), and restored the cerebral blood perfusion (P<0.001). Immunofluorescence co-staining results showed that compared with the model group, zinc chelation reduced intracellular zinc ion accumulation in neurons, decreased the number of neuronal deaths in the ischemic hemisphere, and lowered the content of free zinc ions. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed a significant reduction in pyroptotic bodies in the cerebral cortex of mice in the zinc chelation group compared with the model group. Transcriptome sequencing with GO enrichment analysis indicated that inflammation and massive pyroptosis erupted on 3 days after cerebral ischemia. Western blotting and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that TPEN treatment reduced the expression of AIM2 inflammasome proteins induced by cerebral ischemic injury (P<0.05). Conclusion  Chelated zinc exerts a neuroprotection against neuronal pyroptosis in mice after acute cerebral ischemia.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, while exploring the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in disease diagnosis and surgical planning. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 28 patients diagnosed with MRKH syndrome via ultrasound and MRI at 73rd Group Army hospital of the People’s Liberation Army of China from July 2018 to May 2025. Clinical and imaging data were collected, with surgical confirmation as the gold standard. Imaging characteristics of MRKH syndrome on ultrasound and MRI were analyzed, and detection rates between modalities were compared. ResultsThe result showed that all 28 cases of MRKH had no vagina. Among them, 26 cases presented with a spindle-shaped primordial uterus on both sides of the pelvis. Only one case had a uterine cavity shadow in both primordial uteri as shown by MRI, while the remaining 25 cases had no endometrium or cervix. The lower margins of the primordial uteri on both sides were connected by a cord-like band behind the bladder. Two cases presented with only one primordial uterus in the pelvis, without endometrium or cervix. One case had a unilateral primordial uterus combined with a huge myoma, and both primordial uteri were still visible after surgery. The ovaries were in normal positions in both sides in all 28 cases of MRKH, and one ovary was combined with a teratoma. The cord-like band showed uniform echo in 27 cases and a worm-like echo in one case, with rich blood flow and varicose vein-like appearance. In abdominal or transrectal ultrasound examination, 46 primordial uteri were detected, with 8 missed, and the detection rate was 85.2%. In MRI examination, 49 primordial uteri were detected, with 5 missed, and the detection rate was 90.7%. In the combined ultrasound and MRI examination, 53 primordial uteri were detected, with 1 missed, and the detection rate was 98.1%. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of MRKH between ultrasound and MRI (P>0.05), while the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy of MRKH syndrome by the combined ultrasound and MRI were significantly higher than those by single ultrasound examination (P<0.05). ConclusionBoth ultrasound and MRI exhibit high sensitivity for MRKH syndrome, yet their combined use provides superior diagnostic value through multi-dimensional visualization of anatomical anomalies, offering critical guidance for clinical management.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography for right heart occupying lesions (RHOL). MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on echocardiographic data from 76 patients with pathologically confirmed RHOL. The echocardiographic diagnoses were compared with pathological findings to calculate the diagnostic accuracy. ResultsAmong the 76 RHOL cases, malignant tumors were the most common (40/76, 52.6%), with an echocardiographic diagnostic accuracy of 92.5% (37/40). Other identified lesions included myxomas (14/76) and thrombi (12/76). Echocardiography demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for myxomas, thrombi, and residual calcification of the eustachian valve (83.3%-100%). In contrast, the diagnostic accuracy was lower for lipomas and intravenous leiomyomatosis (33.3% and 50%, respectively). Furthermore, pericardial effusion was present in 62.5% (25/40) of the malignant cases. ConclusionEchocardiography is an effective tool for diagnosing RHOL, showing high diagnostic value for malignant tumors, thrombi, and myxomas. The presence of concurrent pericardial effusion serves as a significant indicator of malignant lesions.

Objective To clearly delineate the microanatomy of the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk and its syntopy in order to provide anatomical basis for the selection of precise clinical surgical approaches. Methods Totally 55 sympathetic trunks available in 28 Chinese adult cadavers (18 males and 10 females) were investigated in this study. The thoracic cavity was thoroughly exposed and then sympathetic ganglia and its affiliated rami were observed and measured with microscopic instruments. Results Rami from thoracic nerve 1 (T1) intercostal nerve entered the stellate ganglion above the upper border of the second rib in all specimens. The distance between the rami and the upper border of the second rib was (5.1 ± 1.4) mm. The incidence that T2-T5 ganglions located at the corresponding intercostal space was 92.7%, 85.5%, 40.0% and 36.4%, respectively. The rami communicantes were classified into 3 types (type a, b and c) according to the anatomical relationship between the thoracic sympathetic ganglia and the intercostal nerves. The distance from 3 types of rami communicantes to lateral sympathetic trunk at the middle point of relative rib was (10.2 ± 3.4) mm (type a), (9.5 ± 2.6) mm (type b) and (8.4 ± 2.0) mm (type c), respectively. We found that 74.5% superior intercostal artery crossed the neck of the first rib. The distance between the superior intercostal artery and the lateral sympathetic trunk was (3.4 ± 1.3) mm. Conclusion Sympathectomy performed at rib level should be the ideal choice for clinical surgical treatment of palmar or craniofacial hyperhidrosis with less denervation scope to achieve more definite therapeutic effect.

Objective To characterize the expression profiles and potential biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and to evaluate their clinical relevance for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Methods Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing was performed on PBMC samples collected from AIS patients (n=5) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=5) in a discovery cohort to delineate the circRNA landscape in AIS. The top ten differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were identified based on fold change and statistical significance. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the biological functions of the host genes of these DECs. Validation of candidate circRNAs was performed using Real-time PCR in an independent validation cohort consisting of 30 AIS patients and matched controls. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of validated circRNAs was further assessed through correlation analyses with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results  Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the host genes of the top DECs were predominantly involved in immune responses, protein degradation and cell death. Among the candidates, hsa_circ_0075436 and hsa_circ_0005729 were significantly downregulated in AIS patients as validated by Real-time PCR. Importantly, their expression levels were inversely correlated with NIHSS scores at both admission and discharge, suggesting a potential link to disease severity and neurological recovery. ROC analysis demonstrated that both circRNAs exhibited robust diagnostic performance, highlighting their potential as blood-based biomarkers. Conclusion The host genes of DECs are involved in key pathways related to transcriptional regulation, protein ubiquitination, immune response, protein degradation, and apoptosis. Among them, hsa_circ_0075436 and hsa_circ_0005729 represent promising candidates for further development as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To explore the mechanism by which the sanguis draconis flavones(SDF) regulates the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) pathway to mediate cell pyroptosis and improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats.    Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into the control group(Ctrl), the CIRI group, the low-dose SDF group (SDF-L), the high-dose SDF group (SDF-H), and the SDF-H+ROS/TXNIP pathway activator, trimethylamine oxide（TMAO) group（SDF-H+TMAO）. Among them, except for the control group, the remaining rats all needed to establish the CIRI rat model by the modified suture method. Zea Longa scoring was performed on rats from each group. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and oxidative stress-related factors superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS levels. Cerebral edema was detected. Cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride （TTC）staining. HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyrolytic effector protein dermolin D (GSDMD). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the ROS/TXNIP pathway.    Results Compared with the control group, a large area of cerebral infarctions were observed in the brain tissue of the CIRI group, accompanied by mild hemorrhage and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells. Neuronal cells underwent degeneration and necrosis, with sparse and disordered arrangement. The phenomena of nuclear condensation and nucleolus lysis were obvious. The Zea Longa score, cerebral infarction volume, brain tissue water content, levels of IL-1β, IL-18, ROS, MDA, and the expressions of GSDMD, TXNIP, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3（NLRP3）, apoptosis-related punctate protein （ASC）, and Caspase-1 increased, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the CIRI group, the pathological damage of brain tissues in the SDF-L group and the SDF-H group was significantly improved. The Zea Longa score, cerebral infarction volume, brain tissue water content, levels of IL-1β, IL-18, ROS, MDA, and the expressions of GSDMD, TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 decreased. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased (P<0.05); TMAO treatment partially reversed the improvement effect of SDF on CIRI in rats.    Conclusion SDF ameliorates cerebral CIRI in rats by inhibiting ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis. 

Objective  To investigate the relationship between the expression changes of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) and the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), explore the neuroprotective effect of SNAP25 on ALS motor neurons, and provide potential therapeutic targets for ALS.  Methods  Differentially expressed genes in ALS transgenic mice were screened using public databases. Focusing on SNAP25, 36 pairs of hSOD1-G93A transgenic ALS mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates at different disease onset time points were selected as animal models. hSOD1-G93A mutant and hSOD1-WT NSC34 cells were generated as ALS cell models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to verify differential expression in vivo and in vitro. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect the co-localization of SNAP25 with neuronal marker neuronal nuclei (NeuN) in mouse spinal cords. SNAP25 was overexpressed in hSOD1-G93A mutant NSC34 cells, and cell viability was measured using a cell viability assay kit. After neurite induction, changes in neurite growth were analyzed, along with the expression of neurite-related proteins βⅢ-tubulin and growth associated protein 43（GAP-43). Results  Analysis of public databases revealed that SNAP25 expression was significantly lower in the spinal cord of ALS transgenic mice compared to WT mice. Animal studies confirmed that, compared to WT mice, the levels of SNAP25 protein and mRNA in the spinal cord of ALS mice decreased; SNAP25 co-localized with NeuN in the mouse spinal cord, and the integrated optical density of SNAP25 in SNAP25-positive neurons in ALS mice decreased. In vitro experiments revealed that the expression levels of SNAP25 protein and mRNA in hSOD1-G93A mutant NSC34 cells were reduced, and overexpression of Snap25 improved cell viability and promoted neurite outgrowth. Conclusion  The down-regulation of SNAP25 expression is closely related to the pathological process of ALS. Overexpression of Snap25 enhances the viability of hSOD1-G93A mutant NSC34 cells, promotes neurite outgrowth, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.

Objective  To investigate the application value of dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and quantitative parameters in the prediction of lymph node metastasis before operation for prostate cancer. MethodsRetrospective analysis of clinical data of 102 patients with prostate cancer admitted to Yangming Hospital affiliated to Ningbo University (Yuyao People’s Hospital) from January 2019 to May 2023 was reviewed. All patients received imaging examination before surgery and postoperative histopathological examination.Lymph node metastasis of patients was statistically analyzed, and patients were divided into lymph node metastasis group (LMG,15 cases) and non-lymph node metastasis group (LNMG,87 cases). The DCE-MRI features and quantitative parameters of the two groups were compared, and the relationship between them and lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer patients was analyzed by Logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to analyze the predictive value of preoperative DCE-MRI features and quantitative parameters for lymph node metastasis. Results The tumor diameter >2cm and the percentage of blurred edges were higher in the LMG group than in the LNMG group, and the K^trans and K_ep values were higher in the LMG group than those in the LNMG group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor diameter >2cm, blurred tumor margins, large K^trans value and large K_ep value were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients (OR>1, P<0.05). ROC curve was drawn, and the result showed that tumor diameter, tumor margin, K^trans value and K_ep value had certain predictive value for the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients, area under the curve(AUC) was 0.715, 0.740, 0.935 and 0.821 respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion The DCE-MRI characteristics and quantitative parameters of the primary lesion of prostate cancer are of great value in predicting lymph node metastasis before surgery. The comprehensive clinical evaluation of these indicators can help evaluate the status of lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients and provide objective imaging basis for the formulation of individualized treatment plans.

Objective To investigate the effect of breviscapine (BRE) on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced necroptosis of neural cells by regulating the receptor-interacting protein (RIP) 1/RIP3/mixed-lineage kinase-like protein (MLKL) signaling pathway. Methods HT22 cells were randomly grouped into control (Ctrl) group, model (Mod) group, BRE group (20 μmol/L BRE), RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway inhibitor Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) group, RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway activator Z-VAD-FMK group, and BRE+Z-VAD-FMK group. Except for the Ctrl group, the remaining groups were subjected to OGD/R induced cell models. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay were applied to detect the proliferation. ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the programmed cell death rate. Immunocytochemical staining was used to detect the expression of p-MLKL. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, p-MLKL/MLKL and Caspase-8. Results Compared with the Ctrl group, the survival rate and colony number of cells, and the expression of Caspase-8 in the Mod group were lower, while the programmed necrosis, IL-1β, TNF-α, p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL were higher (P<0.05), and the p-MLKL positive signal was aggregated in punctate or clumped form on the cell membrane/cytoplasm, and the percentage of p-MLKL⁺ cells increased (P<0.05). Compared with the Mod group, the survival rate and colony number, and the expression of Caspase-8 of cells in the BRE group and Nec-1 group were higher, while the programmed cell death rate, IL-1β, TNF-α, p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL were lower (P<0.05), the positive signal of p-MLKL weakened, and the percentage of p-MLKL⁺ cells decreased (P<0.05); while in the Z-VAD-FMK group, all the indicators were opposite (P<0.05). Compared with the BRE group, the cell survival rate, the number of colony, and the expression of Caspase-8 in the BRE+Z-VAD-FMK group decreased, while the rates of programmed necrosis cells, IL-1β, TNF-α, p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL increased (P<0.05), and the positive signal of p-MLKL was enhanced, and the percentage of p-MLKL⁺ cells increased (P<0.05). However, compared with the Z-VAD-FMK group, the survival rate and colony number, and the expression of Caspase-8 of cells in the BRE+Z-VAD-FMK group were higher, while the programmed cell death rate, IL-1β, TNF-α, p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL were lower (P<0.05), and the positive signal of p-MLKL was weakened, and the percentage of p-MLKL⁺ cells decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion BRE may protect against OGD/R-induced necroptosis of neural cells by blocking the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway.

 Objective  To establish reference standards for handgrip strength among Uyghur adults in the Aksu region and to analyze associated influencing factors, thereby providing scientific evidence for local health interventions and the assessment of sarcopenia-related conditions.  Methods  Using a cluster random sampling method, 1123 adult Uyghur residents (439 men and 684 women) in the Aksu region were assessed for handgrip strength, height, body composition (total muscle mass, total fat mass, body fat percentage, upper-limb muscle mass, lower-limb muscle mass), and anthropometric indicators (waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, hand length, palm length, palm width, and hand area). Percentile curves (P5, P25, P50, P75, P95) for handgrip strength were constructed using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method. ANOVA, independent-sample t-tests, Pearson partial correlation, and multiple linear regression were applied to examine differences in handgrip strength between Uyghurs and other populations, identify influencing factors, and compare values with domestic and international populations.  Results  Handgrip strength among Uyghurs aged 20-80 years showed significant differences by sex and age (P<0.01). Men had substantially higher grip strength than women, and both sexes reached peak values at ages 20-29, followed by a marked decline after age 50. Compared with other domestic and international populations, the overall grip strength level of Uyghurs was moderately low. Uyghur men had significantly lower values than Caucasian, East Asian, and Han Chinese populations, but higher than Tibetan and Malaysian populations; Similar trends were observed in women. Partial correlation analysis showed that in men, age and body fat percentage were negatively correlated with grip strength, while height, weight, body mass index (BMI), total muscle mass, upper-limb and lower-limb muscle mass, hand length, palm width, and hand area were positively correlated. In women, age, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio were negatively correlated with grip strength, whereas height, weight, BMI, total muscle mass, upper-limb and lower-limb muscle mass, hand length, palm width, and hand area were positively correlated. Multiple linear regression indicated that age and total muscle mass were significant predictors of grip strength in adult Uyghur men (P<0.01), while age, muscle mass, waist-hip ratio, and palm width were significant predictors in Uyghur women (P<0.01).   Conclusion  Reference percentile values for handgrip strength across different age groups and both sexes have been established for the Uyghur population. Age and total muscle mass are the primary determinants of grip strength in this population, while waist-hip ratio and palm width also independently influence grip strength in women.

Objective  To construct a three-dimensional data model of the craniofacial region of Mongolian adults, analyze its morphological characteristics, and explore its application value in craniofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. MethodsThree-dimensional digital models of the soft tissues of the craniofacial region of 300 Mongolian adults(150 males and 150 females) were obtained using three-dimensional laser scanning technology (3D laser scanning), and compared with the results of traditional manual measurements for statistical analysis. ResultsThere was no significant statistical difference between the result of three-dimensional laser scanning technology and manual measurements (P>0.05). The obtained data had high accuracy and good repeatability, and could comprehensively reflect the morphological characteristics of the craniofacial region of Mongolian adults. ConclusionThree-dimensional laser scanning technology provides an efficient and accurate method for the reconstruction and measurement of craniofacial soft tissues, offering reliable quantitative indicators for preoperative design, postoperative effect evaluation, and aesthetic analysis, and providing important morphological basis for craniofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Mongolian adults.

Objective  To investigate how these tumor characteristics influence the response to chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in patients with mid to late stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MethodsPre-treatment CT scans and clinical information from 174 patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected retrospectively. The patients were categorized into two groups: a responsive group and a non-responsive group, based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. The esophageal tumors and their surrounding structures were manually segmented on the CT images and then reconstructed in three dimensions. The morphological features of both the tumors and the neighboring structures were measured. Subsequently, the differences in three-dimensional morphological characteristics between the two response groups were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 174 patients, the responsive group comprised 103 individuals (69.6%), while the non-responsive group included 45 individuals (30.4%). There were no statistically significant differences in the pre-treatment clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). However, several measurements related to tumors were significantly higher in the responsive group compared to the non-responsive group, tumor surface area (5369.66 mm² vs 4262.40 mm²), volume (26 781.21 mm³ vs 20 146.84 mm³), long axis (55.52 mm vs 47.19 mm), tumor volume/normal esophageal volume (0.40 vs 0.33), and tumor long axis/normal esophageal length (0.23 vs 0.20) (P<0.05). Although the lymph node volume and surface area were also higher in the responsive group, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) values for tumor surface area, volume, long axis, tumor volume/normal esophageal volume, and tumor long axis/normal esophageal length were 0.636, 0.630, 0.617, 0.606, and 0.629, respectively, with the corresponding cutoff values being 4074.50 mm², 20 215 mm³, 49.21 mm, 0.20, and 0.34. ConclusionThe three-dimensional morphological features of the tumor and its surrounding structures, as observed in pre-treatment CT scans, can serve as a potential non-invasive marker for predicting the effectiveness of chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in patients with intermediate and advanced esophageal squamous carcinoma. This information could aid in clinical decision-making.

Objective  To investigate the protective effects of aerobic exercise on the myelin sheath, glial cells, and cognitive decline in naturally aging female rats.  Methods  Three-month-old and 16-month-old rats were selected as the young control group (YC, n=6) and the old control group (OC, n=6), respectively. The old exercise group (OE, n=6) underwent an exercise intervention from 3 to 16 months of age. The novel object recognition test and the Y-maze were used to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Immunofluorescent staining measured the levels of myelin sheath and oligodendrocytes(OGD) in the brain tissue of each group, as well as the activation status of microglia(MG) and astrocytes(AS). Western blotting was employed to detect the expression level of the myelin basic protein(MBP) protein.  Results  Naturally aging rats exhibited significant impairments in learning and memory, which could be effectively ameliorated through exercise intervention. The myelin sheath levels in the hippocampal CA3 region and corpus callosum, the MBP levels in the CA3 of aged control rats were significantly lower than those in the young control rats. In contrast, the activation levels of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and prefrontal cortex were significantly higher than those in the young controls. Exercise intervention effectively increased myelin levels in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and the corpus callosum, the MBP levels in the CA3 of aged rats, while reducing the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the CA1, CA3, and prefrontal cortex regions of the hippocampus. However, there were no significant differences in oligodendrocyte levels among the young control, old control, and old exercise groups.   Conclusion  Exercise intervention can effectively reduce myelin loss and decrease the activation of microglia and astrocytes. This may be one of the mechanisms by which aerobic exercise improves learning and memory impairments in naturally aging rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of Huangqi Shengmai Yin (HSY) on myocardial fibrosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by adjusting P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7R)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway.    Methods Sixty rats were divied into a sham operation group and model group(5 groups), with 10 rats in each group. The AMI rat model was constructed by ligating the left anterior descending branch and randomly grouped into AMI group, the HSY-low group (intragastric administration of 1.6 ml/kg HSY), the HSY group (intragastric administration of 6.2 ml/kg HSY), the compound miltiorhiza group (intragastric administration of 300 mg/kg), and the HSY-high+P2X7R agonist-ATP group (intragastric administration of 6.2 ml/kg HSY, and tail vein administration of 10 mmol/L ATP). After the intervention, cardiac function, myocardial injury and inflammatory factor markers were detected. The tissue sections were prepared to examine pathological changes, myocardial fibrosis, type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen (COL1A1, COL3A1). Western blotting was performed to detecte the protein expression of P2X7R, NLRP3, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and the expression of activated Caspase-1.  Results Compared with the sham surgery group, the AMI group showed an increase in the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), the coatent of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ), fibrosis volume fraction, the positive expression of COL1A1, COL3A1, TNF-α, IL-1β, P2X7R, NLRP3, and activated Caspase-1 proteins (P<0.05), and a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P<0.05). The HSY-low group, HSY-high groups, and compound miltiorhiza group showed a decrease in LVEDD, the content of BNP and cTnⅠ, fibrosis volume fraction, the positive expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1, TNF-α, IL-1β, P2X7R, NLRP3, and activated Caspase-1 proteins (P<0.05), and an increase in LVEF than these in the AMI group (P<0.05). The HSY-high+ATP group showed an increase in LVEDD, the content of BNP, cTnⅠ, fibrosis volume fraction, the positive expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1, TNF-α, IL-1β, P2X7R, NLRP3, and activated Caspase-1 proteins (P<0.05), and a decrease in LVEF than those in the HSY-high group (P<0.05).   Conclusion HSY inhibits P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway to alleviate myocardial fibrosis in AMI rats. 

Objective  To investigate the distribution patterns of pain- and itch-specific neurons within the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), and to map their divergent downstream projection pathways. Methods  The male C57BL/6 mice were used, the optimal induction window for the tetracycline-off gene expression system (Tet-off system) was determined to be seven days through preliminary experiment (n=24). We then employed the Tet-off system, in combination with c-Fos promoter-driven viral vectors and Fos immunofluorescence histochemistry, to specifically label LPB neurons activated by pain (LPB^pain) or itch (LPB^itch) and to analyze their co-localization within LPB subnuclei (n=7). Finally, using Tet-off-based viral anterograde tracing (n=6), we compared the downstream projection targets of these two neuronal populations. Results  Sequential application of distinct noxious stimuli within defined time windows induced robust co-expression of viral vector-derived enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and Fos protein (labeled by red fluorescence) in the LPB. Microscopic analysis revealed that LPB^painand LPB^itch neurons were extensively co-localized in the external part of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBE). The co-localization rate reached up to 72.9% for EGFP^＋ pain neurons with Fos^＋ itch neurons, and 79.5% for EGFP^＋ itch neurons with Fos^＋ pain neurons. Co-labelling rates in other subnuclei were relatively lower. Anterograde tracing results showed that both LPB^pain and LPB^itch neurons projected predominantly to overlapping regions, including the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA), periaqueductal gray (PAG), zona incerta (ZI), revealing a highly similar overall projection pattern. Conclusion  While the LPB is activated by both pain and itch stimuli, its subnuclei exhibit distinct response profiles to these stimuli. The largely overlapping downstream projections of LPB^pain and LPB^itch neurons suggest that differential central encoding of pain and itch may rely more on molecular or functional mechanisms than on strictly segregated anatomical pathways.

Objective To investigate the effect of senkyunolide I (SEN I) on neuronal apoptosis in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) rats via modulation of the mixed-lineage kinase 3(MLK3)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3(JNK3) signaling pathway.     Methods Screening for a SAE model by monitoring neurobehavioral and electroencephalographic alterations in rats with sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Divided into normal control group, sham operation group, sepsis without encephalopathy group, SAE model group, SAE+MLK3/JNK3 signaling pathway inhibitor (URMC-099) group, SAE+lowdose SEN I group (36 mg/kg), and SAE+high-dose SEN I group (144 mg/kg), with 10 animals in each group. After 30 minutes of successful modeling, intraperitoneal injection was administered according to the group, and the administration was completed within 24 hours. HE staining was used to observe the pathological conditions of hippocampal tissue under a light microscope, transmission electron microscopy was used to observe changes in the morphology of neuronal nuclei, cytoplasm, and mitochondrial ultrastructure, TUNEL staining was used to detect hippocampal neuronal apoptosis, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of p -JNK3, JNK3, p-MLK3, MLK3, and Fas ligand （Fas-L）proteins. Results Compared with the normal control group and sham surgery group, the sepsis without encephalopathy group showed no significant changes in neuronal structural morphology and neuronal apoptosis, and there were no significant differences in the expression of p-JNK3, JNK3, p-MLK3, MLK3, and Fas-L proteins (P>0.05). However, the SAE model group had aggravated neuronal structural morphology damage, increased neuronal apoptosis rate, and increased expression level of p-JNK3, JNK3, p-MLK3, MLK3, and Fas-L proteins (P<0.01); Compared with the SAE model group, the inhibitor URMC-099 and SEN I treatment groups showed significant improvement in neuronal structural and morphological damage, decreased neuronal apoptosis rates, and reduced p-JNK3, JNK3, p-MLK3, MLK3, and Fas-L protein expression (P<0.01), with the highdose SEN I group showing more significant improvement.   Conclusion SEN I effectively reduces neuronal apoptosis in SAE and exerts neuroprotective effects on SAE by inhibiting the activation of the MLK3/JNK3 signaling pathway. 

Objective To investigate the effects of estrogen signaling on T-cell recruitment and polarization in acutely injured skeletal muscle.    Methods One hundred C57BL/6 male mice, one hundred and eighty C57BL/6 female mice were selected. Twenty-five female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and 10 male mice were taken as the sham-operated (sham). Then, cardiotoxin(CTX) induced tibialis anterior(TA) injury for preparing mice myoinjury model. Subcutaneous injection of 17β-estradiol (E2) or estrogen receptor antagonist 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) was performed. A total of 140 mice (70 males and 70 females) were divided into four group including: PBS-male, CTX-male, PBS-female, and CTX-female. Serum estradiol (E2) levels were measured by ELISA, and muscle injury models were validated via HE staining. Subsequently, 20 male and 20 female mice were selected for immunofluorescence (IF) and Real-time PCR to assess estrogen receptors (ER) expression in injured muscle tissue. Further, 10 male and 40 female mice were allocated into five experimental groups, including CTX, CTX+E2, CTX+4-OHT, CTX+OVX, CTX+sham. HE staining and IF were performed to evaluate inflammatory infiltration in the injured muscle. Additionally, 50 female mice were divided into CTX and CTX+OVX groups, and IF combined with flow cytometry were used to analyze T-cell phenotypes and muscle fiber regeneration in the injured muscle.    Results  In vivo, serum E2 and myofiber ERβ increased post-injury in mice of both sexes, significantly higher in females. Compared to the control group, E2 alleviated inflammation, OVX exacerbated inflammation, increased CD4^＋ T-cell infiltration, elevated T helper 1 cell(Th1) response, decreased regulatory T cells(Tregs), impaired regeneration. In vitro, IFN-γ/LPS significantly upregulated ERβ in myotubes.    Conclusion  Estrogen signaling critically regulates muscle inflammation. Estrogen deficiency (OVX) delays repair of skeletal muscle by promoting Th1 response and suppressing Tregs function. 

Rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (RMAC) is a relatively rare but highly aggressive type of tumour, and its early diagnosis and accurate staging are highly important for disease prognosis. With the continuous development of medical imaging technology, MRI, a noninvasive imaging tool, is increasingly being used to diagnose rectal cancer. Although there have been several studies on the application of MRI in rectal cancer, there is still a lack of systematic summaries regarding the specific types, imaging characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and potential solutions for RMAC. In this review, we aim to summarize the MRI characteristics of RMAC, explore the current research status and application prospects of emerging technologies in this field, and provide references for clinical practice.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of amylin on the feeding behavior of mice through the ERK pathway of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN).   Methods A total of 54 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into multiple groups for experiments. First, immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of ERK and calcitonin receptor (CTR) neurons in the brains of 4 mice. A chemical lesion model of PVN neurons was established, and 16 mice were divided into four groups (4 mice per group): control (Ctrl) group, ibotenic acid (IBO)-lesioned group, amylin group, and amylin+IBO group. The number of ERK-positive neurons in the PVN region and food intake were then measured. Subsequently, 16 mice were divided into four groups (4 mice per group), Ctrl group, amylin group, ERK antagonist U0126 group, and amylin + U0126 group. The expression level of the immediate early gene c-fos in the PVN was detected by Real-time PCR. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of p-ERK positive neurons in the brains of 4 saline-treated mice and 4 amylin-treated mice. Finally, 18 mice were randomly divided into three groups (6 mice per group) through intracerebroventricular injection, Ctrl group, amylin group, and amylin + receptor antagonist AC187 group. Then, triple immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of p-ERK, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and CTR-immunopositive neurons in the PVN region, and food intake within 3 hours after treatment was recorded simultaneously.    Results ERK-positive neurons were mainly distributed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), arcuate nucleus (ARC), and locus coeruleus (LC), while ERK and CTR co-expressing positive neurons were specifically enriched in the PVN (P=0.0012). Lesion of PVN neurons led to a decrease in the number of ERK-positive neurons (P<0.001) and blocked the anorectic effect of amylin (P<0.001). Amylin activated the expression of the c-fos gene in the PVN region (P<0.05), and this effect was inhibited by U0126 (P<0.05). After intracerebroventricular injection of amylin, the number of triple-positive neurons for p-ERK, nNOS, and CTR in the PVN increased (P<0.05). Addition of AC187 blocked the activation effect of amylin (P<0.01) and reversed the anorectic effect of amylin (1 h, P=0.2218; 2 h,  P=0.2218; 3 h, P=0.6974).    Conclusion P-ERK neurons in the PVN regulate feeding behavior through an amylin receptor-dependent ERK signaling pathway. 

Objective To address challenges such as the complex anatomical structure of the trigeminal nerve, difficulties in hands-on teaching, and the lack of integration with clinical knowledge, a virtual simulation-based experimental course was designed and implemented, with its application effectiveness analyzed.    Methods The course was structured around the framework of “Exploring the Trigeminal Nerve-Examination of Trigeminal Neuralgia-Simulation of Surgical Treatment”. It was applied in the human anatomy laboratory course for eight-year clinical medicine students through the following steps, goal refinement, key point analysis, instructional design, implementation, performance evaluation, and questionnaire surveys.    Results The course integrated detailed trigeminal nerve anatomy with interdisciplinary knowledge from neurology and neurosurgery, thoroughly analyzing its functions. This approach helped students deeply understand the medical principle of “structure determines function”and efficiently master the content. Exam scores on trigeminal nerve-related questions improved significantly, and the virtual simulation course received the highest satisfaction rating among all human anatomy laboratory courses.    Conclusion This course integrates virtual simulation technology with clinical medical education, and established a teaching loop of “basic anatomy-clinical diagnosis-surgical intervention”. It effectively addresses core challenges in traditional teaching, such as abstract structures, difficulties in operation, and disconnection from clinical practice. The result  demonstrates that this model not only enhances knowledge acquisition and test scores but also fosteres students’ clinical thinking of “structure determines function”, and receives high satisfaction. Therefore it may provide an innovative and scalable solution for medical course education reform.

Objective To elucidate the association between changes in mRNA and microRNA(miRNA) expression and reveal the regulatory patterns in hepatocyte proliferation during rat liver regeneration. MethodsA two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) model was established in rats using the Higgins method. Liver right lobe samples were collected at 10 time points (0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 30, 36, 72, 120, and 168 hours) after PH. Except for 0 time point, there were 6 rats in each of the other 9 time points, with 6 rats in the control group. mRNA and miRNA signal values in the liver tissue at each time point were quantitatively detected using microarrays. The signal values of mRNA and miRNA on 0 hour post-PH (three replicates) served as controls. The ratio values of mRNA and miRNA at other time points were calculated by dividing their signal values by the corresponding controls. The element accumulation method was employed to screen biologically significant, differentially expressed, related, and key mRNAs and miRNAs during specific phases of liver regeneration, the hepatocyte G₀/G₁ transition phase (including 2 and 6 hours post-PH), the proliferation phase (including 2, 6, 12, 24, 30, and 36 hours post-PH), and the G₁/G₀ transition phase (including 72, 120, and 168 hours post-PH). Bioinformatics method were used to analyze the functions, interactions, and expression correlations of the identified key mRNAs and miRNAs. ResultsA total of 13 927 mRNAs and 1166 miRNAs were detected across 10 time points during rat liver regeneration using biochip technology. By applying the element accumulation method, 946 key mRNAs and two key miRNAs novel701_mature and rattus morvegicus(rno)-miR-196a-5p were identified. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that novel701_mature interacted with TNFRSF12A mRNA, and rno-miR-196a-5p interacted with mRNAs of aquaporin 4(AQP4), BTB damin and CNC domain and CNC homolog 1(BACH1), CD244, homeo box B8(HOXB8), neurexin 1(NRXN1), periplacin(PPL), and TSC complex subunit 1(TSC1). Furthermore, the expression levels of these two miRNAs were up-regulated during the G₀/G₁ transition and proliferation phases, but down-regulated during the G₁/G₀ transition in hepatocytes. Conversely, the expression levels of the eight key mRNAs that interacted with these two miRNAs were up-regulated across all three phases (G₀/G₁ transition, proliferation, and G₁/G₀ transition) of hepatocyte proliferation. ConclusionThe two key miRNAs show expression correlation with identified eight target mRNAs and regulat hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration processes.

Objective  To investigate the immunogenic cell death-related gene markers mediating immune infiltration and poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods  Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, we analysed the expression profile of immunogenic cell death (ICD) genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), screened for the set of differentially expressed ICD-related genes (ICD-RGs) by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), established the LASSO-Cox prognostic model and carried out the functional and drug sensitivity analysis; in vitro validation of the inhibitory effect of BI-2536 on the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells, and verification of the expression of ICD-RGs by Western blotting of three clinical samples. Results  Differential genes of ICD-related subtypes were mainly enriched in aminoacyl-transfer RNA(tRNA) biosynthesis, citric acid cycle, base excision repair, oxidative phosphorylation, protein export, spliceosome, antigen processing and presentation, B-cell receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and T-cell receptor signaling pathway, |NES|>1, P<0.05; ICD-RGs were significantly associated with both prognosis and immune microenvironment in LUAD patients (all P<0.05); BI-2536 had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of both A549 and H1650 cells, P<0.05; Nomograms developed through the network calculator had a better predictive mechanism, and both receiver operating characteristic(ROC) and decision curve analysis(DCA) over time showed that nomograms were better predictors of prognosis; ICD-RGs showed differential expression in LUAD tissues and normal tissues in Human Protein Atlas(HPA) and Western blotting. Conclusion  ICD-RGs are significantly associated with immunity and prognosis of LUAD, and BI-2536 can be used as a clinical drug to inhibit the growth migration and invasion of LUAD cells, mediate the ICD-RGs pathway and biofunctional activity. In addition, the newly developed nomogram provides a more convenient and accurate method to predict the overall survival of LUAD patients.